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JOHN DOUGLAS HENDERSON RADCLIFFE

1885 - 1915

John was born in August 1885 in Kensington, London, eldest son of Alexander Nelson Radcliffe and Isobel Grace Henderson. Along with his younger sisters Margaret Joan, Maude Elizabeth and Ruth Isobel together with younger brother Edmund, John would have lived part of his life at Bag Park, Widecombe in the Moor, upon the estate owned by their father.

John was educated at Eton College and Balliol College Oxford, following which he trained as a solicitor, although his real ambition was to go into politics.

In 1913, John married Mary Augusta Garlinda Bolitho in Exeter.

During his solicitor training, John joined the Inns of Court Training Corps and when he enlisted into the Kings Royal Rifle Corps he quickly attained the rank of Captain.

Serving with the 7th Battalion KRRC on the Western Front in 1915, John was involved in the Battle of Hooge in Flanders. Having captured the village, the KRRC defenders were subject to a fierce counter attack.

During this counter attack John Douglas Henderson Radcliffe was killed.

John's widow Mary Augusta continued to live in Widecombe for a number of years after his death and assisted other members of the family in projects for the benefit of the village.

 

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